Intermittent exchange of fire between CRPF and Naxals in Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand, particularly stepped up after recent Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, has put wildlife under stress.
As a part of “Operations Jaal” being carried out against the ultras in PTR, the last few days have witnessed surge in encounters. PTR is connected to Chhattisgarh through the Sarguja forests.
Senior forest officers in PTR have expressed concern saying that gun shots are being heard from within the jungles and deep inside where visibility is low, security forces are also burning bushes, shrinking wildlife habitat. The animals’ movement patterns particularly that of tigers and elephants are being affected.
Schedule 31 and 32 of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) bans entry of arms, ammunition and explosives in sanctuaries and reserve forests. Such actions within reserve requires the permission of Chief Wildlife Warden which has not been taken, informed the officers, who admitted of being trapped in a catch 22 situation.
For the first time, a high-level team led by member secretary of NTCA had visited the reserve in the last week of May. However, they could not be contacted for their comments on the present situation.
According to PTR Field Director SEH Kazmi, “Such operations have certainly affected the movement of at least two tigers in Kumandi, at least 3-4 big cats in Bethla Compartment-2, besides near Karwai. The reserve is estimated to have between 10-12 tigers. There is a presence of about 1800- 2000 CRPF personnel within the core and buffer areas of about 1129 sq kms of the reserve. However, at present the number of security personnel is higher with the addition of companies of police and others.
“The situation has been particularly worrying since the past six months,” said AK Mishra, Conservator of Forest Buffer Zone, PTR. A female elephant had been killed due to bullet injuries sustained during exchange of fire between the Naxals and extremists in Barasanandh area. A detailed report had been sent to the Government but of late the situation is heading for the worse.
A senior officer on the condition of anonymity informed that tiger trackers are scared of moving in the reserve fearing harassment from the CRPF personnel. These usually comprise local villagers who are often stopped, questioned and sometimes even slapped on allegations of being Maoists. Further, there are nearly 12-14 CRPF pickets, in the tiger areas including Kerh, labhar, Kumandi amongst others where noisy generators are run, in absence of electricity. Further, even the movement of forest officers is restricted within the reserve, on the plea that they would be accompanied by police forces. “All such activities are certainly making things difficult,” he added. Kazmi, however, conceded that even though wildlife conservation work was getting affected security personnel are acting as per their mandate.